Improving detection of hidden breast cancers in women with dense breasts using advanced imaging techniques.
Official title: Detecting Mammographically-Occult Cancer in Women with Dense Breasts Using Digital Breast Tomosynthesis
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10994068 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help find hidden breast cancers in women with dense breast tissue, using a special imaging technique to improve the accuracy of mammograms and make sure these cancers are detected earlier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | December 8, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $348,283 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA269540-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10994068 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women with dense breast tissue who are undergoing routine breast cancer screening.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-dense breast tissue or those who do not undergo breast cancer screening may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the detection of mammographically occult (MO) breast cancers in women with dense breast tissue by utilizing a novel imaging technique called Radon Cumulative Distribution Transform (RCDT). Women with dense breasts often face challenges in cancer detection due to the limitations of standard mammography, which can miss cancers. The study aims to develop imaging biomarkers that can identify these hidden cancers using digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), a more advanced imaging method. By analyzing asymmetries in mammograms, the researchers hope to improve the accuracy of cancer detection and provide better screening options for women at risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier and more accurate detection of breast cancers in women with dense breasts, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using advanced imaging techniques for cancer detection, indicating that this approach may yield significant benefits.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Juhun — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Lee, Juhun
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.